KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RISK AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES RELATED TO DIAGNOSTIC RADIATION AMONG MEDICAL STAFF IN TEACHING HOSPITALS (WASIT PROVINCE)

Abstract

The aim: The goal of this research is to find out how much medical staff is acknowledged about radiation protection. Materials and methods: In Teaching Hospitals, Wasit Province, a questionnaire study in 165 medical personnel was conducted. Part 1 of the questionnaire included sociodemographic information such as age, gender, and employment, whereas part 2 included 16 knowledge-related questions, divided into two sections: health risk (8 questions) and preventative strategies (8 questions). The descriptive analysis was carried out according to the data types: qualitative data were described using frequency and percentages, while quantitative data was described using the mean and standard deviation. The Chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact Test were employed to analyze the relationship between the variables. Participants were given a score of 1 for all accurate answers, and a score of 0 for wrong and “don’t know” responses. There were 165 participants general, among them 93 males and 72 females; with a mean age of 35.489.570. Results: Only 27 people (16.36%) had a good knowledge score, while more than half (61.21%) earned an average knowledge score. 30% of radiology technicians had a good level of knowledge, and 26.5 % of those working in radiology units had a good level of expertise as well. Increasing the frequency of radiation exposure showed to have a strong relationship with participant knowledge score, with those with repeated exposure during the day having the greatest proportion (21.4%) of good knowledge. Conclusions: This study had shown that there is a need to increase awareness about risks of radiation exposures among those who works in this field. Considering the above, the study recommends making training about the risks and methods of radiation protection compulsory, especially for workers in radiography units. In addition, the curricula of medical institutes must be updated and the latest research findings on ways to prevent radiation should be added. Finally, the issue of exposure to radiation is very important and dangerous, therefore, all sectors of society must join for the best awareness of its risks.